Charlie Thomas' Blog

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Mr. Clean

by Charlie Thomas,posted May 4 2011 3:12PM

Ed Cassidy turns 88 yrs old today (5/4). If ya don't recognize the name...or the shaved Mr Clean chrome dome on the drumkit...he was the drummer for Spirit. Ed was stylishly bald at a time when most musicians were growing hair down past their shoulders. What was unique about Spirit was that Ed was the step-father of guitarist Randy California..not a typical relationship in rock bands. But it DOES explain why one of Spirit's albums was called The Family That Plays Together.--which contained their biggest hit, I Got a Line On You. Spirit also had a very jazzy feel to their music...much of which came from Cass's jazz background. In 1964, he had formed the band Rising Sons with Taj Mahal & Ry Cooder. Rock on, Mister Clean....**photo by Bruce Pates**